The Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. is the first zoom lens for the Leica S system. The range of focal lengths covered by the lens is equivalent to that of a 24-72mm zoom on a 35mm camera. The lens construction is based on 14 elements assembled in 4 groups. For a zoom construction, the lens achieves extraordinarily high contrast rendition and maximum resolution wide open the company claims. The Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £7,380 including VAT from November 2012.

Leca Press Release

Exceptional imaging quality and low weight:

The LEICA VARIO-ELMAR-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH.: the first zoom lens for the S-System

Photokina, Cologne, 17 September 2012: Leica Camera AG today presents the first zoom lens for the Leica S medium format system. The range of focal lengths covered is equivalent to that of a 24-72 mm zoom for 35 mm format. This means that S-System users now have access to a lens that possesses the flexibility to cover the majority of photographic needs, and simultaneously delivers the outstanding performance of primes. Photographers can now avoid time-consuming lens changes in many areas of photography, allowing them to concentrate on their subjects when time is a critical factor.

Despite its elaborate mechanical and optical construction, the new Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. is extremely compact and, with a weight of just 1,345g (with lens hood), surprisingly light – which means that photographers can use the lens for many hours at a time, without the lens feeling heavy or awkward to use.

The lens construction is based on 14 lenses assembled in four groups. For a zoom construction, the lens achieves extraordinarily high contrast rendition and maximum resolution wide open, thanks to the use of nine lenses manufactured from glass with anomalous partial dispersion, three of which are fluoride lenses with particularly low dispersion. Two aspherical surfaces on the rear-most lens element, and one on the front lens of the second group, reduce monochromatic aberrations to a minimum and ensure that image performance remains constantly high at close focusing distances.

As with the prime lenses of the Leica S-System, the Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. is distinguished by rugged and enduring design, and construction that guarantees years of dependability, even in frequent use. The lens features an extremely robust bayonet mount and is fully sealed against dust and spray. This ensures absolute dependability even under the harshest shooting conditions.

Alongside the new Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH., the current S-System portfolio offers a total of eight lenses (five of which will also be available in CS versions with a central shutter), that guarantee uncompromising imaging quality for almost all areas of photography.

The lens is supplied with a dedicated lens hood designed specifically for the ray paths of light through the optical system, which reliably prevents stray light entering the lens at all focal lengths.

Pricing and availability
The Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £7,380 inc VAT from November 2012 from authorised Leica S dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: http://www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica dealers is available at http://www.leica-camera.co.uk.